Nixon 1973 (Jan to April): A reflection on the tapings of the conversation with his “inner circle”
Anyone interested in the history of Nixon’s presidency, Watergate Scandal or the Nixon’s tapes, this book makes a fascinating reading as it transcribes hours of recorded conversation with Nixon’s “inner circle” that included many White House Staff. The taped conversation highlights the troubled period of Jan to April 1973. From this book we learn that during much of this period, he was obsessed with Watergate and looking for ways and means to cover it up. Even the peace agreement with Vietnam took a lower seat in these private conversations. It gives a closer look at Nixon, as a man in deep trouble with the law and nothing else mattered to him except get out of it safely! Some of his comments on other domestic issues such as social, political or economic factors were mean and perhaps irresponsible. On the question of abortion, the president seemed to support abortion in cases of incest and unwanted interracial pregnancies! According to the Gospel of Nixon, the sin associated with incestual pregnancy and the (?)sin associated with interracial pregnancy occurs at the same footing.
On 2/23/1973, Nixon observed that a cover-up of the Watergate Scandal is the best strategy, and blame the whole fiasco on former attorney general John Mitchell. On 3/13/1972, Nixon and John Dean worry about the money laundering of funds coming from Mexico and the consequences of posting an operative in Chappaquiddick, Massachusetts to investigate Senator Ted Kennedy. On 3/21/1972, Nixon approves the idea of payments in the form of hush money up to $1 million. The FBI official Howard Hunt, who figures prominently in Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s Watergate investigations, a chief link between the White House and Watergate burglars was paid $75,000 within a day! That constituted obstruction of justice and the beginning of the end of Nixon’s presidency. In the Hollywood movie, “All the President’s Men,” “Deep Throat” brilliantly played by the late actor Hal Holbrook says that “everyone is involved” (in the scandal). From this, Woodward and Bernstein conclude that Nixon was personally involved in the Watergate mission. Later in 2005, “Deep Throat” was identified as FBI’s #2 man, Mark Felt.
From Nixon’s tape, it is very clear that Nixon was an active participant in the Watergate break-in from day one! This is a highly engrossing work and historically an authoritative document about Nixon and his cohorts: Highly recommended.